Machine for sealing cigarette packages or the like



Sept 4, 1923. r 1,467.018

J. N. TZlBlDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 351 1165 wtozmm a Jam 1x17 721514295 Sept. 4; i923;

J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES on THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 OOO GGGQQ rrlllllli lllllKr Sept. 4, 1923.

- J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE F OR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES 033 THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 ma wmm s Z6 .L 0 a {1 QM p w F 2 a Sept. 4, 1923. J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 omwY Sept. 4, 1923. 1,467.018

J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 4, 1923.

J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 F v v Sept. 4, 1923.

J. N. TZlBlDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 2, 1920 5mm hmedjlllzz'day y 3 W MM Sept. 4, 1923. 1,467,018

. J. N. TZIBIDES v MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES QR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Q Q *3 {Q v gel w I Sept. 4, 1923.

J. N. TZIBIDES momma FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES on THE LIKE 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 2, 1920 M 75256 Watts James,

flfi wfizw Sept. 4, 1923. 1,467,018

J. N. TZIBIDES' MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES QR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 11 Sheets-S113 10 Sept. 4, 1923.

J. N. TZIBIDES MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1920 11 sheet-sheet ll I i i i 1 i 5 1 n I I 1 i I 1,

l ozmcus I MWm Patented Sept. 4, 1923.

UNETED STATES PATENT insane;

JALIEES N. TZIBIDES, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOE TO R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR SEALING CIGARETTE PACKAGES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed August 2, 1 920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnuns N. TZlBIDES, a subject of Greece, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Sealing Cigarette Packages or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to a machine for closing cigarette packages of the end-opening pouch type and for applying revenue stamps over the closed ends. However in certain of its aspects it is applicable for use in merely closing cigarette packages or the like of the character referred to and in other of its aspects it is applicable for use in applying revenue stamps or other stamps or labels to packages or boxes other than the character referred to.

Cigarette packages of the end-opening pouch type are usually formed of paper, sometimes being lined with tin foil. and before the cigarettes are placed in the package one end is left open. rettes have been packed in the package the projecting end of the package is folded in wardly in much the same way as any paper bag if folded in closing same. The folding operations usually consist iii first folding the narrow sides of the projecting portion of the bag inwardly and then folding inwardly over the first folds the wider sides of the projecting ends, which sides project upwardly in the form of flaps after the narrow sides .have been folded inwardly. The present machine is intended to receive the packages after they have been filled with cigarettes and-after the ends have been folded over but not secured, in which condition the folded ends spring partly open by their own elasticity.

The objects of the invention are to provide a machine for folding the flaps of the package into closed position and then to apply the revenue stamp over the closed end or otherwise secure flaps in closed position.

)ther objects are to pro ide improved moans tor aflixing the stamps to the packages. for delivering the packages to the stan'ip afiixer and for conveying the package from the stamp fixer to a suitable receiver or packaging machine.

In order clearly to disclose the nature or the invention I have shown one embodiment After the eigafl Serial No. 400,690.

by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings in which Price.

Fig. 1 is a top plan of the machine showing the feed end broken away and the gear casing removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the center portion of the machine, the siection being taken on line 2-2 of Fig, 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on line 4-.4 of Fig. 2; V

F ig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the delivery end of the machine with the elevator in uppermost position, the section being taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the elevator at the delivery end of the machine, the elevator being shown in lowermost position;

- Fig. 7 1s a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the elevator in uppermost position; i

F g. 8 is a View similar to F ig; 5 showing the elevator in lowermost position;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9-9 of Fig. 5; i

Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. ll is a vertical longitudinal section online 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on line '1212 of Fig. 11;

Fig.1? is an elevation of the rotary stamp gripper cam;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on line.

13 13 of Fig. 11; 1

Fig. ll is a vertical central section of the rotary stamp gripper;

Fig. 15 is'a side elevation of the stamp tloxorshowing a, cigarette box in operative relationship thereto;

Fig. 16 is a peripheral elevation of the glue roll;

Fig. 17 is a section on line'1717 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 18 isa vertical transverse section on line l8- l8 of Fig. 11.;

F igv .19 is a vertical transverse section on line 19*19 of Fig. 5;

Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive are diagrammatic figures showing successive stages of applv-' inc the revenue stamp to a cigarette bony Fig. 2 lis a plan view of a revenue stamp showing the area to which glue is applied Fig. 25 is an elevation of the delivery end of the machine, the parts being broken away or shown in section;

Fig. 26 is a rear elevation of the delivery end of the machine (left-hand end of Fig. 25)

Fig. 27 is a vertical transverse sectionon line 2727 of Fig. 28;

Fig. 28 is a top plan of the delivery end of the machine;

Fig. 29 is a vertical section on line 2929 of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a vertical section on line 3030 of Fig. 27; and

Fig. 31 is a vertical section on line 31-31 of Fig. 25.

The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises a frame F carrying a receiving table R at the right-hand end thereof, and packaging mechanism P at the left-hand end thereof and having a chain conveyer C for conveying the cigarette boxes or the like from the receiving end of the machine to the delivery endthereof. The chain convcyer is preferably similar to that disclosed in. my prior Patent No. 1,350,393, granted August 2st, 1920. At the front of the machine (bottom of Fig. 1) the frame carries a stamp receiver S into which may be stacked a plurality of sheets of revenue stamps. At the left-hand end of the stamp receiver 5% is mounted on frame F mechanism E for feeding revenue sheets one at a time and step-by-step from the receiver S to the left. A cutter A is mounted to reciprocate vertically at the mouth of the receiver S to cut strips of stamps from the sheet each time the sheet is advanced. A gripper G is mounted to reciprocate transversely of the machine to transfer individually stamps from the aforesaid strips to a position to be picked up by the rotating gripper H. The gripper G is reciprocated by the cam-roll T and is opened and closed by cams J and K on the shaft L carrying the cam roll I. All of this mechanism is fully described and claimed in my prior Patents No. 1302735, granted May 6, 1919 and No.1.3st7134. granted July 20, 1920, and for the purpose of the present application requires no further description.

The mechanism for delivering the cigarette boxes to the chain conveyer C is constructed as follows: A hopper 1 is arranged above the conveyer chain C at the left-hand end of the receiving table R in position to receive cigarette boxes as they are fed along a runway on table R, the table B being disposed at a higher level than the conveyer chain C. The hopper 1 may be constructed in various ways, but as shown in the drawlngs it comprises rear and front uprights 2 and 3. a left-hand upright 4: and a righthand wall 5. Spring members 6 and 7 are mounted on the uprights 2 and 3 by means of slotted arms 8 so as to be adjusted to guide the boxes and prevent them from turning or wedging. The rear upright 2 terminates at 8 (Fig. 2) and immediately therebelow an arm 9 is pivoted to swing hori- Zontally on the pivot 10, the arm having a presser portion 11 adapted to engage the rear side of the second box from the bottom of the stack in the hopper and press it against the forward upright 3, thereby holding the said box and all the boxes above it from dropping while the lowermost box is being carried from beneath the stack by one of the lugs 12 on the conveyer chain. After the lowermost box has passed completely from beneath the stack the arm 9 swings out to allow the boxes in the hopper to drop. The arm 9 is yieldingly held in position by spring 33 and is oscillated at the proper times by means of the vertically reciprocating rod 13 which has a cam surface 1s (Fig. 4.) adapted to engage its forwardside at the left of the pivot 10.

The table it is provided with a runway bounded on the front by a shoulder 15 and on the rear by a vertically disposed rail 16 (Fig. 1). Sliding on the table in the bottom of this guide-way is a belt 17 which passes downwardly through openings in the table o er rollers 18. the left-hand roller being shown in section in Fig. 2. The belt 17 is driven from shaft 26 (l ig. 2) through .chain 32 and sprockets 30 and 31. At the forward end of the guide-way is provided a transverse shoulder 19 which projects some what above the level of the belt 17 so as to engage the foremost box and stop the advance of the boxes resting on the belt, as shown in Fig. 2. Immediately behind the shoulder 19 is provided a vertical reciprocating lifter 20 which is mounted on the upper end of the rod 13 above referred to. The rod 13 slides in guides 21 and 22 and is yieldingly pulled downwardly by a spring 23 anchored at its upper end to the rod and at its lower end to the fixed guide 22. A cam roller 2t is mounted on the lower end of the rod 13 in position to ride on the cam 25 fixedly mounted on shaft 26. the cam 25 being shaped to lift the rod 13 once every revolution of shaft 26. When the rod 13 is lifted the lifter 20 raises the foremost box to the level of the shoulder 15) so that the foremost box may pass over the shoulder 19, The lugs 12 of the chain conveyer C are so spaced with relation to the velocity of the driving shaft 26 that one box is caused to fall into the hopper for every box that is moved from the bottom of the hopper. The belt 17 is caused to travel somewhat faster than necessary so as to feed the boxes againstthe shoulder 19 somewhat faster than they are delivered from the table. the boxes sliding on the belt 17 after the foremost box engages the shoulder 19; and until the foremost box is lifted by lifter 20.

As shown in Fighl l preferably provide a pair of springs 27 adapted to engage the opposite sides of the foremost box just before it is pushed off the table R and a second pair of springs 28 disposed somewhat in the rear of the springs 27. The springs 27 are arranged to prevent the foremost box from tipping off the table when it engages the shoulder 19 and to steady it while it is lifted by the lifter and advanced to the edge of the table. These springs are also positioned and tensioned so as to cause the box to tip off the table and fall fiatwise on the top of the stack in the hopper 1. The springs 28 are intended to serve as adjustable brakes but are so tensioned that when the foremost box is lifted over the shoulder 19 all the boxes may move forward with a belt 17. I also preferably provide a pair of overhanging flanges 29 adapted to prevent the boxes immediately in the rear of the foremost box from being lifted by frictional engagement with each other and with the foremost box -whcn the foremost box is lifted by lifter 20.

The flanges 29 gradually bend inwardly at the top until their upper ends are inclined at an angle of approximately 30 to the hm'izontal. and the rear ends of these flanges are curled upwardly so that the forwardly projecting flaps of end-opening cigarette boxes of the pouch type may ride under these flanges without being disarranged.

The conveyor chain C passes over sprocket wheels 34 and 35 at its opposite ends and intermediate the sprocket wheels its upper side rests on a table 36 vertically adjustable on a fixed table 37 (Fig. 2). Over the conveyer C are mounted box guides 38 with a space therebetween into which projects the lugs 12 on the chain. The chain C is driven by the sprocket 35 which in turn is driven from shaft 38 and through chain 112 running over idlers 113 and lit, the shaft 38 connecting with the main driving shaft 39 through a set of bevel gears 40 (Fig. 1).

The mechanism for applying the revenue stamps to the cigarette boxes is disposed above the conveyer C approximately midway between the chain sprockets and comprises ingeneral the aforesaid gripper G which reciprocates transversely above the belt, a rotary gripper H fixed on the shaft 39, a glue roll .1-0. a glue-pot 4:1, a guide 4-2, a pair of arms l3 pivoted at H and a pair of springs 15 for yieldingly urging the arms 4.3 downwardly. Intermediate the transversely reciprocating gripper G and the rotary gripper U is a pair of spaced fingers 46 and 47 arranged so that the stamp m (Fig. 12) is stripped or flexed as it is pulled therebetween by the rotary gripper.

The rotary gripper H comprises a bodyportion 48, (Figs. 11, 12 and 14) fast to the connected to the shafts 50 and 51 respec tively by means of set screws 53 (Fig. 13). Springs 54; are arranged to swing the jaws 49 against the fixed aws 55 on the body -18. A cam finger 56 is secured to the outer end of pin 50 in position to engage earn finger 57 fixedlymounted in the path thereof, the

finger 57 being formed on a collar surrounding the shaft 39 but fast to the frame and not to the shaft,

As the rotary gripper reaches the position shown in Fig. 11 the jaws 49 are opened and the tail end of the stamp 00 held by the rotary gripper H is pressed against the forward end of the upper side of thebox. As the rotary gripper continues its movement the rear end of the stamp :0 held by the reciprocatory gripper Gris gripped by the iaws 49 and 55, the jaws of the gripperG being opened an instant before the jaws -19 close as the finger 56 leaves finger 57. As the rotary gripper continues to rotate the pivoted guides 43 engage the edges of the stamp and hold it in contact with the periphery of the body as of the gripper. The glue roll 40, whose periphery is supplied withglue from pot ll. controlled by valve 58, contacts with the central portion of the stamp between the guides 4:3 applying a coat of glue over the central portion .1 of the stamp shown in Fig. 24-.

The peripheral surfaces 60 of the rotary gripper H are relatively narrow, asshown in Figs. 12 and 13, so that'the stamp contacts with the body 48 only throughout these marginal surfaces 60. The glue roll is substantially equal in width to the space between the marginal surfaces 60, so that if a stamp is not picked up by the rotary gripper the glue roll will not contact with the rotary gripper. The'peripheries of the pivoted dogs 49 do not extend quite out to the circumfcrence of the body 48 so as not to contact with glue on the roll .0. Thus no glue contacts with the rotary gripper in the event that it does not carry a stamp, thereby avoiding the rotary gripper becoming gulnnied up. Inasmuch as the glue roll 4-0 engages the stamp througout its central unsupported portion between the marginal surfaces 60 it is essential thatthe stamp be held in a curved position in contact with the circular periphery 60 by the pivoted guides] 43, as otherwise the stamp would fiex'inwardly in the center and not make good contact with the glue roll.

The periphery of the glue roll A0 is narrow and the portion 61 which supplies the spot a of glue (Fig. 2%) has a shorter radius than the rest of the roll so as to pick up a considerable amount of glue in pass ing' the mouth of the glue pot. Thus, while some glue is supplied to the glue roll throughout its entire periphery a considerable amount is supplied only to the recessed portion 61. Thus the spot of glue applied to the stamp would be substantially as shown in 2 1-. although an incousiderable amount of glue may be applied at the opposite ends of the rectangular spot As shown in cross-section in Fig. 13 the guide s2 is recessed in the center 62 so as to contact only with the ungiued margins of the stamp throughout the surfaces 63 spaced from the surfaces of gripper H to permit the stamp to pass freely therebetwcen.

As the stamp is pulled between the fingers 46 and A? it is flexed sharply to cause it to curl downwardly after being applied to the box as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, whereby the stamp will pass beneath certain parts of the machine in transit to the point where it is foldeo downwardly over the end of the box. However, in order to make sure that the free portion of the stamp does turn downwardly instead of upwardly I may provide an additional device, (Figs. 11 13 and 15) con'iprising an arm 6f fixedly mounted on the end of shaft L and an L-shaped spring having a portion 66 extending along the periphery 67 which is concentric with the axis of shaft L. This device is so shaped and timed that the free end of the spring 65 engages the projecting portion of the stamp X immediately in front of the edge of the box so as to flex the stamp sharply downwardly at the corner of the box (Fig. 15).

In order to make sure that the stamp does not stick to the rotary gripper when the jaws d9 open I provide a presser foot 58 pivoted at 69 in a recess in the body 48 of the gripper to push the stamp away from the gripper in the event that the forward end of the stamp, whose rear end is stuck to the box 13. has not flipped away rom the rotary gripper upon the opening of the jaws 49. The presser foot 68 is controlled by a cam roll 70 rotatably mounted on the end of an arm fast to shaft 69 and arranged to move in a cam groore in a cam disk '71 fast to the frame of the machine. An offset 71 is so located in the cam groove that the presser foot is osc'llated in a counterclockwise direction immediately after the jaws 19 open thereby moving the forward end of the stamp 50 away from the rotary gripper if it has not already flipped away by its own elasticity.

' stamp.

At the delivery end of the chain conveyer is provided a vertical reciprocating elevator 72 fast to a vertical slide 7 3 sliding in guide 74. As shown in Fig. 19 the elevator 72 has upstanding sidewalls 7 5.- Disposed 1ongitudinally of the inner faces of these sidewalls are springs 76 which bow inwardly in the middle yieldingly to engage the outer sides of the cigarette boxes. These springs 7 6 are bent outwardly around the forward ends of the side-walls where they are secured by screws 77 (Fig. 9). Springs 78 are mounted on the side-walls of the elevator to engage the upper. side of each cigarette box to hold the box upon the floor of the elevator, the forward ends of the springs 78 being curved upwardly to permit the boxes to be advanced therebeneath by the chain conveyer C. A bracket 79 extends downwardly along the forward side of the elevator and upon the lower end of this bracket is pivotally mounted an arm 80 which carries at its rearward end a vertically disposed plate 81 (Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 19). The plate 81 is pivoted to the arm 80 and extends forwardly into a recess 82 in the rearward end of the elevator. A torsion spring 83 is provided to urge the plate 81 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5) thereby to hold it against the rear end of the elevator. The upper end of the plate 81 is recessed in the center (Fig. 19) so as not to contact with the gummed surface of the revenue The forward end of the arm 80 is yieldingly urged downward by means of a spring 8% anchored to bracket 85 depending from the bottom of the elevator (Figs. 6 and 7). A finger 86, which is fixedly mounted on the frame F, (Figs. 9 and 19), extends into the path of the arm 80 to limit the movement of the arm by spring 84. A stop 87 is fixedly mounted on the frame F in position to engage the rearward end of the arm 80 (Figs. 6 and 7). When the elevator is in the lowermost position (Figs. 5, 6 and 19). the pin 86 holds the arm 80 in such position that the upper edge of plate 81 is disposed slightly beneath the level of the floor of the elevator. After the box has been transferred to the elevator from the conveyor into the position shown in Fig. 5 the elevator is timed to rise. As the elevator rises the arm 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction by spring 84 causing the plate 81 to slide upwardly and fold in the lower flap 1 of the box. As the elevator continues to rise the revenue stamp :20 and the upper flap 7 of the box engage on ledge 88 (Fig. 5). which constitutes a wiper, and are folded downwardly over the flap y. As the elevator continues to rise the arm 80 engages the stop 87 (Fig. 7 so that the upper edge of the flap 81 does not rise abov the level of the stationary table 89. After the elevator has reached uppermost position the box is slid from the elevator to the table 89 by the arm 90 pivoted at 91 on a fixed bracket 92, the arm 90 having a transverse foot 93 adapted to engage the" bottom of the box. As the box is slid on to the table 89 the projecting end of the stamp is wiped along the lower side of the box when it sticks by virtue of the glue thereon. Mounted on the top of the stationary guide 741 is a' bracket 91 having horizontal arms 95 and 96 in which a rod 97 slides vertically (Figs.

ries a cam roll 103 adapted to be engaged by a. cam surface 104: of an oscillating area 105. As the elevator rises from its lowermost position shown in Fig. 5 the portion of the box bearing the end of the revenue stamp engages the presser foot 100' and lifts the rod 97 against the action of spring 99. The pressure of foot 100 against the stamp prevents the same from being pulled loose from the box as the stamp wipes past the ledge 88, After the elevator has reached uppermost position the arm 105 swings forwardly together with arm 90, thereby causing the cam 1041 to lift the arm 97 out of contact with the revenue stamp after which the box is transferred to the table 89 as above dOSClibed, After the arm 105 is swung back until the arm 1041 clears cam roll 103 the arm 97 is pulled downwardly by the spring 99 until the collar 98 engages the bra cket 96. The stop 102 is so positioned on the vertical. slide 7 that it engages the stop 101 on the press-erfoot. After the presser foot has engaged the revenue stamp with a pressure sufficient to hold the same. the stop 102 thereby limiting the amount of pressure applied by the foot 100 to the box so as not to crush the cigarettes. By adjusting the screw 1 1 the amount of this pressure can be varied.

The mechanism for oscillating the arms 90 and 105 comprises a cam disk 106 fast on shaft 107. the disk 106 having a cam groove 108 in its rear side to receive the cam roll 1 9 on the arm 105. The right-hand end of the arm 105 is fixed to receive the roller 110 on theshaft 107 vertically to position the right-hand end of the arm. The shaft 107 is driven from the shaft 38 above referred to through the medium of idler gear 111.

The elevator slide 73 is oscillated up and do avn by means of a slotted arm 115 pivoted on shaft 116 the slot in the arm being adapted to receive a pin projecting from the head 78. The shaft 116 is arranged to be oscillated by a cam disc 117 on shaft 38 (Fig. 1), through the medium of a link 118 and a crown arm 119, the cam disc 11'? and link 118 being similar to cam disc 106 and arm 105-dcscribed.

As the box is moved from the elevator to the table 8.9 the lower end of-t'he revenue stamp is wiped under the box by means of ledge 88 thereby finally securingthe stamp over the mouth of the box. A pair of springs 120 press downwardly on the box while the box is on the table 89.

After the box has reached the table 89 the stamps are entirely afix d and the box may be delivered to any suitable receiver, as for example, a straight runway or a flat table. However 1 preferably deliverth'em to a packaging device now to be described, which forms the subject-matter of my copending application, Serial No. 4100 691 filed: on even date herewith.

At the left-hand end of the table 89 is arranged a vertical chute 1&7 comprising front and rear walls 121 and 122 and sidewalls 123 and 1241, the walls 121, 122 and'123 being mounted on a base plate 125 the wall 124 being mounted on a bridge piece 126 extending over the table 89. The walls 121 to12 1 are secured together near the top by means of Li-shaped brackets .127.' A. sec-l 0nd elevator- 128- is arranged to reciprocate vertically in the lower end of the aforesaid" chute from the lowermost position shown in Fig. 8 to the uppermost position shown in Fig. 5. The elevator 128 13 provided with :1 depending bracket 129 carrying a roller 130 on its lower end. An arm 131 pivoted to shaft 132 is arranged to engage the roller 130 to lift the elevator, spring being provided to maintain the roller 130 in contact with the arm 131. The shaft 132 is arranged to be rotated by the arm 134, having a slot fitting over a pin on-the end of link 135. The link-135 is connected at its opposite endto bifurcated arm 136 fast to shaft 116 (Fig. 1). Thissystem of arms and links is timed to lift the elevator 128, during the interval of time elapsing between the transfer of successive boxes from the elevator 72 to the table 89.

A catch 137 is pivotedat 138 to the upright 123 and the lower end of catch 137 is provided with an offset portion 139. extending inwardly through an opening in. the upright 123. A spring 1410 urges the catch into the position shown in Fig.v 5 and the lower end of upright 123 is offset out wardly to receive the end 139 of the catch when it is pressed to the left by a box. The left-hand side of the elevator is recessed to receive the offset end 139, as shown in Fig. 5. Whenthe elevator 128 lifts the boxes the offset end 139 snaps in beneath the lowermost box and holds the lower end of the revenue tampin position until the next box is pressed upwardly thereagainst so as to prevent the end of the stamp from swinging away from the box by its own elasticity. As shown in Fig. 10 a pair of catches 141 are pivoted at 142 and are provided with shoulders 143 adapted to hold the boxes in elevated position in the aforesaid chute, when the elevator 128 moves downwardly. The catches 141 are provided with openings to receive the uprights 121 and 122, which uprights serve to limit the inward and out ward movement of these catches. Springs 144 are arranged to yieldingly urge the catches inwardly into the holding position. shown in Fig. 10. The shoulders 143 slope outwardly from top to bottom thereby forming cam surfaces adapted to be engaged by the box as it is lifted by the elevator to niove the catches out of the path of the box until the box has passed thereabove after which the catches are snapped inwardly by the springs 144.

Referring particularly to Figs. 25 to 31 a horizontal chute P (Fig. 1) extends from the upper end of chute 147 toward the trout of the machine. A horizontal slide 148 is arranged to push the uppermost set of three boxes in the vertical chute latterly into the horizontal chute. The slide 148 is arranged to be actuated at suitable intervals through the medium of a link 149, a bell crank 150. a link 151, a rod 152 sliding in bracket 153, an arm 154 pivoted at 155 and carrying a cam roll 156 adapted to be engaged by cams 157 spaced 90 apart on the cam wheel 158 fast to shaft 159, a spring 160 being provided to pull the arm 154 downwardly. The horizontal chute 146 is provided with an opening in its lower side at its outer end large enough to permit "tour sets of three boxes in a set to pass downwardly therethrough. This opening is partially closed by a pair of doors 161 (Fig. 30) which are yieldingly held closed by springs but which may be swung downwardly out of the path of the boxes by the downward pressure thereon. Dependinglips 162 are provided at the opposite ends of the aforesaid opening, these lips being adapted to support a carton 163 by tric tional engagement as shown in Figs. 27 and 30. A vertically reciprocating presser member 164 is mounted on an arm 165 of the vertical reciprocating rod 166 to press the aforesaid four sets of boxes downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the horizontal chute into the carton. The vertical reciprocating rod 166 is arranged to be actuated by a cam 167 (Fig. 31), cam 167 being mounted on shaft 159 above referred to. A spring 168 connects at its upper end to a fixed bracket 169 and at its lower end to the link 170 connecting the rod 166 with the plunger 171.

As shown in Figs. 25 and 29 the side wall of the horizontal chute covering the stamped end oi the boxes is formed of glass, whereby the condition and position of the boxes in the chute may be readily observed. In order to hold the boxes loosely compressed in the horizontal chute P, two bars 146 are arranged to rest on the boxes, the bars being loosely positioned by transverse pins passing through vertical slots therein (Fig. 27).

While the invention has been described in connection with its specific application to the treatment of cigarette boxes or packages it may, in certain of its aspects, be applied to the handling of other packages.

The terms vertical, horisontah front; real and the like, as herein employed, are used in their broad sense as connoting relation positions and locations and not as de fining exact positions. For example, the hopper 1 and chute 147 are described as vertical, but they may obviously be inclined more or less relatively to the vertical and still function as described.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and allixing stamps thereover, the combination of means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, and means for concomitantly closing the open ends and tolding the stamp over said ends.

2. In a machine of the character describe for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like oi the mid-opening pouch type and atlixing stamps thercover, the combination 01 means for applying one end Oil :1 stamp to the side oi each package. adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, and mechanism for comcomitantly closing the open end of each package and folding the stamp there-over, said mechanism including a wiper arranged simultaneously to fold the stamp and one flap of each package across the end of the package. 7

3. In a machine of the character described lor closing the ends 01 cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and aflixing stamps thercover. the combination of means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body ot the stamp projecting beyond the open end. mechanism tor concomitantly closing the open end of each package and folding the stamp thereover, said mechanism including a wiper arranged simultaneously to fold the stamp and one flap of each package across the end of the package, and means for folding an other flap of the package across the open end prior to said simultaneous folding of the stamp and the other flap.

a. In a machine of the character de scribed for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and affixing stamps thereover, the combination of means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, and mechanism for concomitantly closing the open end of each package and folding the stamp thereover, said mechanism including a wiper arranged simultaneously to told the stamp and one flap of each package across the end of the package, and another wiper arranged to fold the free end of the stamp along the opposite side of the package.

A machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and ailixing stamps thereover, comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, a wiper, and means for moving the package past the wiper to fold the stamp and one flap across the open end of the package.

6. A machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and afiixing stamps thereover, comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, a wiper, means For moving the package past the wiper to t'old the stamp and one flap across the open end of the package. and means tor folding the opposite flap of the package across the open end prior to the folding of the stamp and aforesaid flap.

7. A machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and afiixing stamps thereover, comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end. a wiper. means for moving the package past the wiper to fold the stamp and one flap across the open end of the package. a second wiper. and means for moving the package past the second wiper to fold the free end of the stamp along the opposite side of the package.

8. In a machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the end-opening pouch type and affixing stamps there'over, comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end. an elevator, and a wiper arranged at one side of the path of the elevator so that the stamp and one flap of the package is folded across the end ofthe package upon movement of the elevator.

9. A machine of the-character described comprising means for applying one'end ot a stamp to the side of each package adjacent one end, a wiper, means for moving the package past the wiper to wipe the stamp across the end of the package, and means for holding'said end of the stamp against said side of the package during the wiping op eration.

10. A machine of the character described comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent one end, an elevator for lifting the package, a wiper adjacent the path of the elevator for wiping the stamp across the end of the package, and a presser foot carried by the elevator for holding said, end of the stamp against said side of the package during the wiping operation. l

.11. A machine of the character described comprising means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package adjacent one end, an elevator tor lifting the package. awiper adjacent the path of the elevator for wiping the stamp across the end of the package, a presser foot carried by the ele vator for holding said side ot the package during the wiping operation. and means for automatically moving said presser foot into and out of operative position before and after said wiping operation.

l2. 1... machine of the character (iGF%CT.il')G(l for-cigarette packages or the like oi the end opening pouch type. comprisingan elevator, a wiper disposed adjacent the path ot the elevator to wipe one flap oi the foremost end of each package along the end oi'f the package as the elevator rises, and a device, carried bythe elevator For holding another adjacent flap closed while said flap is being wiped into place. I v

13. A machine of the character described for cigarettepackages or the like oi the end.- opening pouch type, comprising an elevator. awviperdisposed adjacent the path or the elevator to wipe one "flap of the foremost en d of each package along the end of the package as the e evator rises. and a thin pre +5. arranged to hold another adjacent liap closed while said flap is being; wiped into place.

14. A machine oi the character descr bed for cigarette packages or the like of the endopen'ing pouch type. comprising an elevator. a wiper disposed adjacent the path of the elevator to wipe one flap of the foremost end o't each package along the end of the package as the elevator rises. and a thin presser ar ranged to hold another adjacent flap closed. while said flap is being wiped into place and to withdraw from beneath. the first flap when the first flap is reaching closed position.

15. A machine of the character described for cigarette packages or the like of the endopening pouch type, comprising an elevator, a wiper disposed adjacent the path of the elevator to wipe one flap of the foremost end of each package along the end of the package as the elevator rises, and a device movably mounted on the elevator for temporarily holding another adjacent flap closed while said flap is being wiped into place.

16. A machine of the character described for cigarette packages or the like of the endopening pouch type, comprising an elevator, a wiper disposed adjacent the path of the elevator to wipe one flap of the foremost end of each package along the end of the package as the elevator rises, and a thin presser mounted on the elevator to rise above the elevator, thereby to position an other adjacent fiap while said first flap is being wiped into place, and to stop before the elevator reaches uppermost position so as not to project above the elevator when the elevator stops.

17. A machine of the character described for cigarette packages or the like of the endopening pouch type, comprising an elevator, a wiper disposed adjacent the path of the elevator to wipe one flap of the foremost end of each package along the end of the package as the elevator rises, an arm mounted beneath the elevator, a slide at one end of the elevator adapted to be raised and lowered by said arm, and means for automatically raising said slide as the elevator starts up and for stopping the slide before the elevator reaches uppermost position, thereby to close another adjacent flap while said first flap is being wiped into place.

18. A machine of" the character described cmnprising means for applying one end or a stamp to the side of each package adjacent the foremost end, a wiper, means for moving the package past the wiper to wipe the stamp across the foremost end of the packmeans for yieldingly holding said end 01 the stamp against said side of the package during the wiping operation, a table adjacent the path of the elevator, and means tor sliding the package from the elevator to the table so that the :tree end of the stamp is wiped along the opposite side of the package. 7

19. A machine of the character described for closing the ends oi? cigarette packages or the like of the eud-openlng pouch type and at ...ing the stamp thereover, comprising a conveyor arranged to convey the package with the open ends directed forwardly,

' means for applying one end of a stamp to the side of each package ad acent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, an elevator positioned at the delivery end of the conveyor to receive packages from the conveyor, and a wiper arranged adjacent the path of the elevator at a level above the conveyor so that said stamp and one flap of the package are folded across the end of the package when the elevator rises.

20.111 a machine of the character described for closing the ends of cigarette packer the like ot the end-opening pouch and ai'lixing stamps thcreover, the combination of means for closing the open ends of the packages, and means for affixing stamps thereovcr, said means being coordinated to perform a part of the closing and afiixing operations sii'nultaneously,

21. A machine of the character described for cigarette packages or the like of the endopening pouch type, comprising an eler, means for applying one end of a p to the side of each package adjacent the open end with the body of the stamp projecting beyond the open end, a table arranged adjacent the path of the elevator at a level above the conveyor, the table having a wiper portion adapted to wipe the stamp, and one flap across the end of the )[tClQlgG as the elevator rises, and means for sliding the package from the elevator on to the table so that the -free end of the stamp wiped along the opposite side of the package by the table.

22. A machine for closing the ends of cigarette packages or the like of the endopening pouch type and ailixing stamps thereover, comprising a package conveyor for conveying the packages, means associated with the conveyor for a'liixing one end 01'' a stamp to the upper side of each package with the body oi the stamp extending beyond the open end of the package. and means tor simultancously "folding the end flaps oi" the package and the stamp across the open end of the package.

23. A machine for producing cigarette or similar package of the end-opening package type, comprising means for closing the package flaps and means for affixing a stamp over the flaps to hold them closed, said last named means including a movable membcr with a spring prcsser thereon adapted to engage the stamp.

24. A machine for producing cigarette or similar packages oi the end-opening package type, comprising means "for closing the package flaps and means for all xing a stamp over the flaps to hold them closed, said last named means including a memher having attace adapted to bear on the portion of the stamp attired to the package, and a lca'lv spring projecting beyond said face to bend the projecting portion of the stamp downwardly.

Signed by me at Brooklyn, N. Y., this 26th day of July, 1920.

JAllIES N. TZIBIDES. 

